While I was playing Oblivion today, I kept crashing to the desktop. I originally pegged it as a conflict between modifications, but for whatever reason, I decided to look into my case. I then saw that my CPU fan was not moving. I checked all of the connectors and they're securely in, so I have no clue what's going on. Everything else was working. Heck, I could load the computer and play games! Could anyone help me?
 
Specifications:
 
GA-P35-DS3L
MSI 8800 GT OC
OCZ GameXStream 700 watt PSU
2 OCZ 1066 DDR2 memory sticks
Intel Core 2 Duo E6750

Go into the bios and turn off smartfan(under hardware monitor) see if that helps, if not plug the fan into the other 4 pin header in front of the ram(between that and the floppy connector) and try that...

if it spins the board has a defective fan header...rma if you want...or just use the other connector...or even any 3 pin connector they are backwards compatible.

If not the fan may be defective. replace it if you can...contact intel if its a stock fan

Just so you know my Zalman 9500AT does not spin until the system is loaded, then it stays on...a bios update fixed that...but turning off smart fan does the same thing.

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http://tinyurl.com/26uxxb - Core2 Temp Guide
http://tinyurl.com/cj3pw - VGA power use

There are two places to connect the fan? Anyway, I'll try your method. Thanks, bud!

I edited the message above...so yes there are 2 4 pin fan headers...also the fan will work on even a 3 pin just let the 4th pin hang over the edge..just make sure you like up the latch...

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http://tinyurl.com/26uxxb - Core2 Temp Guide
http://tinyurl.com/cj3pw - VGA power use

Sorry it took so long to respond. This computer, my back-up, wouldn't turn on correctly, so I had to load the default CMOS and BIOS settings to get it back.
 
Anyway, I disabled smart fan and that didn't work. Then I tried to plug in into the sys fan, but that didn't work. Also, I allowed the computer to load Windows and the desktop to see if it would spin, but it wouldn't. (the CPU doesn't become too hot unless it's in a graphics intensive application) I don't think it's worth it to try the 3-pin header since the sys fan wouldn't work, and it could cause my back-up computer to mess up again if I removed the power connection.
 
*shakes head* I'm cursed!
 
At this point, it definitely seems like the fan is the culprit.

is it stock?

may as well give a try to the sys 3 pin fan header near the cpu socket...just make sure to like up the latch

Just don't listen to the 3 pin fans are lower power and 4 pin are higher....cause its not true...4 pin is a different way of varying speeds(something you don't need....since you are not getting any speed)
http://www.intel.com/support/mothe [...] 012074.htm

If it still does not spin....contact whoever you go it from to get a replacement.

If its not in warranty, i would recommend a new heatsink like the Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro(its cheap and powerful. but not too quiet unless you turn fan speed control back on). If you go this rout make sure you clean all the thermal past of the cpu before installing it. this is done with high purity rubbing alcohol(drug store has it try to find 99%) and Q tips or coffee(or both ) filters work well to if there is room to use them as a cloth. the cleaner the better.

About you board not booting, sometimes that board may have to try to boot shut off and boot again(it will do this on its own.) before it works after the power has been lost for a while, but i am not sure if it does this at stock. Overclocked it will sometimes.

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http://tinyurl.com/26uxxb - Core2 Temp Guide
http://tinyurl.com/cj3pw - VGA power use

Yeah, it's stock.
 
Well, I tested a regular fan on those headers (CPU, sys fan, and 2 pwr fans) and they all worked. So I ordered an Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro (before I saw this post =D) This is so depressing, though. I've spent so much money on this PC, and it's simply not worth it. =\ Thanks for your help!
 
I hope the cooler fits on my P35-DS3L and in my mini ATX!

what case?

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http://tinyurl.com/26uxxb - Core2 Temp Guide
http://tinyurl.com/cj3pw - VGA power use

I picked up a P35-DS3P motherboard for a new build. I had an AC 7FR Pro sitting on the shelf.
 
Judging from pictures, the Gigabyte boards have a lot of variations in the on board chipset cooling. On my motherboard, the AC 7 HSU fits in any orientation. In terms of fitting in the case, the AC 7 is about 3 inches taller than the Intel HSF.
 
In my opinion, the AC 7 is an excellent budget HSF.

nukemaster: Antec 4480
 
Do you guys think that the CPU was permanently damaged by the fan not being on? Like I said, I didn't even notice anything was wrong until I saw that the fan was not moving.

No the cpu will shut down if it overheats.  

Thanks, MrsBytch. I'm feeling incredibly frustrated right now because I had to replace the motherboard from this order as well, so that's two parts that have malfunctioned. =\ NewEgg has been great about it, though. Paid for shipping and everything.

That case will hold it fine, you may have to remove the side duct....
 
Its about the same size as a Sonata case
 
Sonata II with freezer and plenty of room

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http://tinyurl.com/26uxxb - Core2 Temp Guide
http://tinyurl.com/cj3pw - VGA power use

Yay, Nukemaster! Thanks for your help. Now, I'll have to content myself with lesser games until Monday or Tuesday

you can try to mount an 80mm fan on the side air duct and if its close enough it may cool the cpu enough to run. Or you can underclock it and keep an eye on the temps...

Use coretemp - Keep it under 70 for your fanless time being

Be warned that without a fan the voltage system does not get much cooling either...should not be a problem for your system with the 120 rear fan there and the rather low power use of that cpu...

http://www.alcpu.com/CoreTemp/

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http://tinyurl.com/26uxxb - Core2 Temp Guide
http://tinyurl.com/cj3pw - VGA power use

Ah, I'd rather not risk any damage to it. I'll just wait until Monday or Tuesday for the new cooler. In the mean time, I'll work on college essays and play Fallout 1 and 2.  
 
Thanks again, Nuke!